--- title: Opening, part 12 — Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English… · full text with trees description: Opening, part 12, «Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch» by Jessie L. Weston: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: What boots it to make long my tale? --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/12/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered in…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/) / Opening, part 12 # Opening, part 12 Opening, part 12 of «Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch» by Jessie L. Weston: the whole text, 76 sentences and 1870 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. What boots it to make long my tale?[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") With the dawning of the day were they of within ready, each man well armed and mounted on a good steed.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") They rode out betimes, and bade undo the gates.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus did they ride forth in all their strength.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") They who kept shield-watch without were ware of them, and led their company against them, but it harmed them naught.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Morien's weapons were so strong; 'twas he led the vanguard, nor would he yield an inch when he began the strife.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") Never might one behold mortal man who smote such strokes.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") They fought their way through that camp.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain, Sir Perceval, and Sir Lancelot smote many to death, and came even to the king's tents, and seized their weapons, shields, and spears, ere his folk might come at their arms.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") They knew not what had befallen them.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") No quarter would the knights give.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") They who were with the king slept sound in their ranks, and were sore afeard when they awoke and beheld the armed men who beset them with stern intent; they had many a sore wound ere they fled from the field.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") They took the king by main force; there was no man at his side but was glad and blithe might he escape with his life.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") The king must yield himself a prisoner, thereto did need compel him, otherwise had he been slain and all his folk with him.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") They led the king within the castle, and shut him fast in a tower.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") Never had they so welcome a guest, nor one at whose coming they were so blithe.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") They on the field must escape as best they might.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Little did they reck of all they brought with them; he might win it who had a mind thereto.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") When the fight was ended King Arthur's men had taken captive much folk and the King of Ireland.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Matters had gone well for them.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") They held there within that which they deemed many would buy dearly, nor count the gold therefor, nor might they well tell how they had lost it.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") But 'twas their dread of Morien's mighty blows, and of Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, and Sir Perceval, who, on the field, had brought many in sore terror and dread of death.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") So brought they their guests within the walls, and shut fast their gates, and hung out their shields, as men who might well defend themselves.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Then when men beheld Sir Gawain's badge, and Sir Lancelot's pennon beside it, tidings of the combat ran far and wide through the land.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") The king's folk who lay there were sore vexed thereat.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") So soon as they who had besieged the queen heard what had chanced they drew off their forces; and all they who served the king, and who came with him into the lands, were greatly shamed, and desired of Sir Gawain in what wise they might make peace.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain took counsel with his comrades, and this was their rede, that they must bring King Arthur there before their eyes ere they might make terms for their lord, the king. "[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") Then shall we have such good counsel on all points that peace may thereby be made."[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Wherefore should I make my tale over long?[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") Little as they liked it they must needs bring King Arthur thither, and thereby make terms for the king, their lord.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") When the tidings ran through the land that the King of Ireland was captive, and that King Arthur was brought thither to treat with him, then was there so great a gathering of Britons that they surrounded Arthur, and took him from the men of Ireland, and brought him with armed hand into the castle despite them all.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus did it fall out well for King Arthur, since he thus escaped, and held captive the king who had erstwhile made him a prisoner.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Now shall ye hear of the King of Ireland, who lay thus in the prison of the knights.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") When he heard and beheld with his eyes that King Arthur was in very deed free, then did he betake himself to him straight-way, and offered him goods and gold that he might be set at liberty, and he sware that he would be the king's man, and hold all his lands henceforward from him, and would depart from the kingdom with all his folk.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus must the king, being captive, stand at King Arthur's pleasure to pay him such ransom as he might think good.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") Of him will I speak no more.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") Now was King Arthur so blithe thereof that he bid hold a great court, that he might give largesse to all who desired.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") Thither came many, but none were there of such renown, or who had wrought such valiant deeds, as Sir Perceval and Morien.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") The reward that Arthur gave them was exceeding great.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain told the king all the matter of Morien and of his father, and the chance that had parted them.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") All this did he tell afore the folk, wherefore was Morien much gazed upon.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Now will I leave this tale and tell ye how Morien rode again to his father, whom he had left sick with his uncle, as I gave ye to wit afore.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") The adventure maketh known that when the strife was ended, and Arthur's land once more at peace, Morien bethought him that he would make his father be wedded to the lady, his mother; and he prayed his uncle to journey with him if he would, and Sir Perceval was right willing thereto.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Further, said Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot, that they twain would ride with them for honour and for good fellowship.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") For this did Morien thank them much.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus they departed and went their way towards the hermitage.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") They rode blithely in company, telling of many things that had chanced here and elsewhere, until they came to the seashore, where they took ship and crossed over; and when they had passed the water they came straightway to Perceval's uncle, who received them with right goodwill.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") By this was Sir Agloval whole, who had been wounded, and Morien asked him straightway if he were rightly healed, and would now keep the oath which he had aforetime sworn unto his mother.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Agloval answered that he was whole and sound, and ready thereto. "[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") The troth that I swear to your mother will I keep what time as it shall please ye.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") As God is my witness I be altogether ready to do this."[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") Quoth Sir Perceval, "Then wherefore delay?[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") Your son is so good a knight, and stout a warrior, that ye may well thank heaven that ye begat him.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Make you ready straightway, and we will fare with ye.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot be come hither in faith and good fellowship, and with us will they journey to the Moorish land."[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") Then was there no longer delaying, but they made them ready for the journey, and went their way with Sir Morien, who knew the road better than any man of them all.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") They rode so long that they came thither; and when they of the land heard tell how that Morien had brought his father with him they assembled themselves together, and some were for refusing them entry into the kingdom, since they would fain keep the heritage for themselves.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") But when Morien heard this he waxed so wrathful that he drew his sword and rode among them where there was the greatest press, and slew there fifteen of the nobles who were fain to deny him his inheritance.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") When the others knew of this they came to him and besought his grace, and yielded to him all his heritage, and gave it into the hand of his mother, and became her men, to hold their lands henceforward from her.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") When this was done, and they had proclaimed her queen over all the kingdom of the Moors, then did they hold the bridal feast of Sir Agloval and the queen, and thus were they wedded to each other.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") There was bliss and great rejoicing fourteen days, even till nightfall did they hold high feast with open doors; never a portal was shut.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics") There was feasting and great merriment; there were all well served with everything on earth that they might desire.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics") Many rich gifts were given, good steeds, raiment of fair colours, many shillings, many pounds, great plenty of all things by which men may the more blithely live.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics") The minstrels and the heralds received great largesse, for there was gold enow; each had that which he desired.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") There would Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot abide till that the feast was ended; be ye sure that Sir Perceval and Sir Agloval the bridegroom prayed them thus to honour the bridal, and this they did, in right courteous wise.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics") No man of them all, were he poor or rich, but had enough and to spare.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics") What more shall I say hereof?[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics") When the feast was ended, and all the nobles departed, and all had taken leave, then was it in the mind of Sir Gawain, Sir Lancelot, and Sir Perceval to betake them straightway to King Arthur's court, for 'twas nigh to Pentecost, and the king (thus do I read the tale) would hold high court (greater was never held) on behalf of Galahad, Sir Lancelot's son, for that this hero should then come to court, and receive the honour of knighthood.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics") And thereof did the tale wax great; how that he should achieve the quest of the Grail, and all the adventures, small and great, which appertained to the Round Table, for 'twas said that he should sit in the Perilous Seat, wherein durst never man sit.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics") To behold these marvels would many a man come to court, for the king had bidden all the great folk of the land thither, and many a knight of praise had obeyed his command.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics") And for this cause would not Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain and Sir Perceval remain afar, but took their leave of Sir Agloval and of Morien and of his mother, and rode on their way till they came to King Arthur at Camelot, where he abode, as it pleased him well to do when he would fain be at peace.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics") And when the king heard of the coming of these three knights, then was he right joyful at that time; and when he learnt concerning Sir Agloval, how his wedding feast had been held, and of the valiant deeds that Morien had done in his own land, then were king and queen alike glad at heart.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics") Here will I leave this tale and speak further concerning the Grail, and the winning thereof.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics") That shall ye find set forth in the book that followeth hereafter; the other part, that which concerneth Lancelot, here cometh to an end.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics") Now do I pray God in words straitly, that He have mercy upon me when my life shall come to an end, and bring my soul to His heavenly kingdom.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics") May He grant this my prayer\![76](76/ "tree and pragmatics") - ← previous: [Opening, part 11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/11/) - next →: [Amen. Notes](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/13/) - ↑ back to [Morien: A Metrical Romance Rendered into English Prose from the Mediæval Dutch](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg8447/)